Ba Xian An Monastery (bā xiān ān 八仙庵), the famous scenic spot of Taoism, is situated in the north of the Changle Fang Street, in the east suburb close to the east city wall of Xi’an City. It is the largest Taoist Temple in Xi’an, also the most well-known Taoist building in Northwest Area. It is said that the Ba Xian An Monastery was established during the Song Dynasty to commemorate “the Eight Immortals in Legend”.

Daoism derived from China since the period of Eastern Han (25-220). According to the legend, Daoism has eight immortals known to the world. One day these immortals passed by the site of the temple and stayed for a time. Since some people thought that these immortals appeared to bless them, a temple was built on this site in order to make sacrifices to these immortals. Hence it was named as Ba Xian'an Monastery (namely, Temple of the Eight Immortals).

Ba Xian An Monastery is also called Ba Xian An Palace because when the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded Beijing in 1900, Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi escaped to Xian and lived in Ba Xian An Monastery. Therefore, Empress Dowager Cixi donated taels of silver later to fund the renovation of the monastery and gave it the name Ba Xian An Palace.

Besides visiting the monastery and burning incenses to pray for felicity, Outside the Monastery, there are two-story ancient buildings all along both sides of the whole street. When you enter any room, you may find that all kinds of curios are on display. The decorations in the rooms are simple. Many old copper mirrors, screens, books, four treasures of the study (four things in Chinese study; they are pen, ink, paper and ink stone), copper swords, ancient falchion, gallipots, china, vases, jade small baubles and folding fans have been put together tightly inside the glass windows. While walking in the street outside the Ba Xian'an Monastery, you will find the street to be filled with curio shops offering items such as Kwan-yin statues and baubles, small and large. In the street you should not miss the small booths on the ground. You may often find many precious and valuable items there. You may not realize their value because most are dirty and covered with dirt.

Ba Xian An Monastery is a popular and important spot for Taoist celebrations in Shaanxi Province. On the 14th, 15th and 16th day of the fourth lunar month, the annual temple fair will be held. Ceremonious religious activities on the Double Nine Festival (9th day of the 9th lunar month) also attract a lot of adherents and tourists from near and far.